394 TYPES AND MARKET CLASSES OF LIVE STOCK 



ways, and deep, and the point of the hock should be prominent. 

 It should be straight from top to bottom. Hocks that are badly 

 sickled, bowed outward, or cow hocked are not stout enough to 

 match the strength of the muscles above. They thus limit 

 the power of the horse and are likely to become unsound. Fleshi- 

 ness and puffs are distinctly objectionable. Thick, meaty hocks 

 are too common in draft horses. A clean appearance, so that 

 every angle and line of the joint is apparent, is very much de- 

 sired. 



Cannons, pasterns, and feet. The requirements for hind 

 cannons, pasterns, and feet are almost identical with those in 

 front. However, the hind cannons are always longer and usually 

 broader than the front ones. Also, the hind pasterns are seldom 

 so sloping, and the hind feet are not quite so large or round. 

 There is less concussion behind than in front, but the stress is 

 much greater at the pull, hence it is proper that hind pasterns 

 and feet be a little more erect, in order to provide the necessary 

 strength of conformation. 



From what has been said above, the value of a properly set 

 hind leg, as viewed from behind, is emphasized. If the horse 

 is "bow legged," his legs will prove weak when the strain is 

 put upon them. Walking on a crooked hind leg is comparable 

 to driving a bent nail. The force of the hammer bends the nail 

 instead of driving it into the wood, and a crooked hind leg bows 

 outward instead of remaining rigid and transmitting full force 

 against the collar. 



Symmetry. Now that the details of the drafter's con- 

 formation have been described, a word may be added regarding 

 symmetry or proportionment of parts. The fact is that some 

 horses are good in their various parts, yet fail to present a good 

 appearance. What they lack is symmetry. The head may 

 be good, and the neck may be good also, but the two may be 

 joined at an angle which injures the appearance. The neck 

 may not rise from the shoulders as it should. The feet may 

 be good, but may be too small to be in proportion to the size 

 and weight of the animal. The top line from head to tail may 

 be an irregular line full of angles, whereas it should be gracefully 

 curved. The hips may be wide, which is desirable, yet they 

 should not be wide out of all proportion to the rest of the body, 

 so as to be ragged and prominent. Seemingly small factors 

 such as these may or may not affect the horse's usefulness for 

 work, but frequently they constitute the difference between a 



